Utah Enquirer | 1888-08-17 | Page 1 | How Pussy Kills the Snake

how pussy kills the snake tho experience of fear has enabled domestic animals to discern the presence of the enemy the fer de bance while invisible to man your horse rears and plunges in the darkness trembles and sweats do not try to ride on until you are assured the way is clear your animal has perceived far ahead two scintillating points two moving sparks of fire or your dog may come running back whining shivering accept his warning the animals kept about country residences have learned to fight for their lives the hen battles hopelessly for her chickens the bull tries 0 o gore his supple enemy the pig gives more successful combat but the creature who fears the monster least is the bravo cat seeing a snake she at once carries her kittens to a place of safety then boldly advances to the encounter she will walk to the very limit of the serpents striking range and begin to feint cing him startling him trying to draw his blow how the emerald and the eyes glow then they are flames A moment more and the triangular head hissing from the coil flashes swift as if moved by wings but swifter still the strong stroke of the armed paw that smites the horror aside flinging it mangled and grasping in the dust nevertheless pussy does not yet dare to spring the enemy still active has almost instantly reformed his coil but she is again in front of him watching watch ipg vertical pupil against vertical pupil again the lashing stroke again tho beautia ful countering the living heath is hurled aside the sealed glnn is deeply torn one eye socket has ceased to flame once more the stroke of the serpent once more the light quick cutting blow but now is blind is stupefied before he can attempt to coil pussy has leaped upon him nailing the horrible flat head fast to the ground with her two sinewy paws 3 owlet him lash writhe twine strive strangle to her in vain he will never lift his head an instant more and he lies still the fine white teeth of the cat have severed the just behind the triangular skull cadio hearn in harpers magazine for august